Brilliant Blog

The Proposal Planner: Photographer

October 10, 2012

Documenting your marriage proposal is one of the most important “Do’s” when it comes to popping the question. Only a photo taken in the moment can truly capture all the emotions and reactions brought on by a proposal. These photos are irreplaceable and provide you with a way to re-live this happy moment for the rest of your lives and share it with friends and family! You can also choose to do a portrait session immediately after the “yes” that can double as your engagement photo session. This gives you the best of both worlds – emotional keepsake photos and fun, posed shots to use for save the dates or holiday cards. With photos like these, who wouldn’t  want a photographer or videographer to capture the moment?

Photos courtesy of Paparazzi Proposals.

A Brilliant Marriage Proposal: Matt & Missy’s Video

January 3, 2012

Enjoy the video from Matt & Missy’s engagement that I designed and planned as The Proposal Planner.  Video courtesy of our friends at Pap the Question. Check out all the photos from their amazing day here.  Want a marriage proposal like this?  Call us at 917.974.4729 or email at sarah@brillianteventplanning.com.

Ask the Expert: Wedding Speeches

October 18, 2011

Today’s post is courtesy of my secret speech-writing weapon, Victoria of The Oratory Laboratory. She is the master at creating perfectly funny, yet heartfelt speeches written in your own voice, and will coach you so your delivery is the icing on the (wedding) cake.

The Unspoken Truth of Speaking. If you’d rather fly over the Atlantic on a sofa with wings than speak in public you’re not alone. 75% of the population are terrified at the prospect of speaking before an audience and that probably includes your maid of honor, the best man and yes, even your father.

The internet provides tips galore about what to say and what not to say at weddings but seldom do you see any good advice about the delivery. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, but here are a few common pointers that you may want to gently pass on to your wedding party.

1.  Don’t try and memorize your speech. Do you think Obama doesn’t have twenty transparent teleprompters in front of him??  A speech is a contrived and well prepared form of expression- the audience are expecting you to take notes up there with you.

2.  Don’t rush. This is a story and you’re telling it for the first time to the people listening. They want to join you on this little journey so give them time to take it all in.

3.  Don’t just read the speech; connect with what you’re saying as you’re saying it. If you’re telling a story about your childhood, take yourself back and there and think about all the small the details, how you felt, who was there etc

4. Practice your speech as if you were reading it to a room full of five year olds to find the playfulness in the text. Jump up and down on your bed while shouting it, read it in a bad Scottish accent if you want. Once you have fun with it you can always rein the crazy back in.

5.  Keep your feet hip-width apart. Your bottom half should feel solid and grounded so that you’re free to gesticulate without falling about the place. If you’re leaning or swaying you lose the energy and presence that stillness creates.

6.  Before you start, take a couple of seconds to take in the room and your audience. Take a breath and begin only when you’re ready. This will ensure the audience are 100% with you from the start and you’ll feel more in control.

A Brilliant Proposal: Vince & Sooah, The Video

August 23, 2011

Now that you’ve seen the pictures from Vince & Sooah’s NYC engagement story, check out the video – courtesy of 15 Minutes of Frame!

sooah + vince (proposal) from 15 Minutes of Frame on Vimeo.

Life is Better Than the Movies

May 19, 2011

Life, and engagements, are even better than the movies!  Check out this spectacular marriage proposal, it definitely earns my stamp of approval!

A Brilliant Proposal, Danny & Tanvi, Part 2

April 6, 2011

Now that you’ve viewed the photos from their proposal, grab some kleenex and watch this heartwarming video of Danny & Tanvi’s travel-inspired engagement. Thanks to Love in Progress for this fantastic video!

Central Park Dream Proposal

September 29, 2010

We designed Edward’s proposal around the song “I Got You Babe,” a tune that holds special meaning for the couple.  It involved over 15 singers, red long-stemmed roses and an old-fashioned serenade by Edward.  Afterwards the couple enjoyed the best seats in the house for the New York Philharmonic concert and a gourmet picnic by Chef Ashton Keefe.  Special thanks to Motoko from Love In Progress and her team who created this spectacular video.  Stay tuned for the still photos from Mariann from Blue Daisy!

Nicole & Edward proposal highlights from Love in Progress on Vimeo.

Just Like in the Movies!

March 1, 2010

Another gorgeous wedding film courtesy of Ray & Ryan at Timeless Films - thank you for capturing this Brilliant couple’s wedding day so perfectly!  (For the best viewing quality hit play, then pause and let the video load completely before playing again)

Kyla+Jordan | Recap from Ryan Rossman on Vimeo.

Engagement Pics? Engagement VIDEO!

December 24, 2009

I came across this totally unique engagement video by Axioo this morning on Rock and Roll Bride and just had to share it with you!  Making your photos into a video is a great new idea and a fun way to get some extra mileage out of your engagement pictures…something to show on a loop during cocktail hour? maybe even after dinner?

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Nico & Emil PreWedding Photoclip from Axioo on Vimeo.

Carol & Ed's Wonderful Wedding Video

August 26, 2009

Grab your kleenex! This is absolutely *the* sweetest video ever, courtesy of the talented and unbelievably friendly Mike Burns of Infinite Video.

Carol & Ed’s wedding Re-cap from Mike Burns on Vimeo.